It was funny because we had both been feeling under the weather. We chatted on the phone about what to do with our plans for Saturday, and we both decided, hey, if we're together hanging out, we'll have fun, even if neither of us is feeling 100%.

After we got done thrifting, we went to a coffeeshop downtown to relax, chat, and sip some chai. This was lovely. Finally, we were ready to call it a day and head home. We walked outside--and there was a freaking PARADE happening! So we joined it! It was a holiday parade. The funniest part was that interspersed among the tunes the marching band played was Sweet Caroline. Not quite sure how that fits in, but hey. I won't complain! There were a couple thousand people singing Christmas carols and marching through downtown to an ice skating rink. Santa and Mrs. Claus came out on the ice and gave out candy, and then there was a freaking FIREWORKS display. How cool is that?!

So, we decided that this was officially the most awesome day of awesomeness, ever. Especially since we started out the day thinking, well, we both just need to get out of our respective houses and we haven't hung out in like two weeks, which is too long, so let's get out and do something. And it ended with us marching in a parade and seeing fireworks downtown! Cool!

OK, I keep obsessing over these plates that DBF and I found at one of the thrift stores we went to today!

We bought them because they were beautiful. We didn't know they were collectors' items. OK, so not like a bazillion-dollars collectors' items, but like, "lots of people who are really into this type of thing think these plates are wonderful" items.

The pattern is called "Largo." They were part of a line called "Carefree Calypso," made by the Syracuse China company between 1966 and 1970. And they are GORGEOUS. I don't know how well it comes across in the photo, but they have such beautiful texture and the gradation of yellows from the center to the edge is just so organic-feeling and pretty. They were glazed beautifully and they sparkle!

I'm excited that last night I finished a rough draft of the dissertation chapter I've been working on. That was my goal--to have this chapter draft done before my birthday. So, yay!

I started off the celebration last night at midnight with a champagne toast to me. :)

Instead of going out to a restaurant, I have requested a sumptuous meal at home. However, my tummy's been a little under the weather, so we are postponing the meal until Sunday brunch. I feel I can have a much more exciting celebration meal by preparing simple tasty things at home, instead of shelling out $$ at a restaurant. My birthday brunch on Sunday will include: champagne, lobster tail (so cheap right now!), käsespätzle, and a green salad with buttermilk dressing. YUM.

Today, DBF and I are going to go bowling and then hit up some thrift stores. I'm excited for the thrifting. There are a couple places I haven't been yet, and I am looking forward to checking them out.

On Saturday, my friend K. and I are going to go... thrifting! hehe. Exciting. I'm thinking I might like to check out the Salvation Army thrift store on Saturday, but I'm not sure. As an organization, they really skeeve me big time. I probably will give the store a look, though. I'm curious to see how it is.

My dad gave me a J. Crew gift card for my birthday. Nice of him! One thing I need, that J. Crew does well, is a really nicely-constructed pair of shoes. I've learned that you can buy cheap shoes, but it's still one of those areas where really good comfortable ones are just going to cost more. Also, thrifting doesn't really work because most people tend to run their shoes into the ground, as it were.

I also got a gift certificate from Sephora, for free lip gloss. And now I'm really regretting that I forgot to update my mailing address with DSW! They usually do good birthday promotional coupons! Oh, well.

I'm excited for my day of bowling and thrifting. And I'm going to go to a cupcake bakery I have been avoiding like the plague. lol. DBF is plotting a cake for my Sunday brunch, but it's a surprise. However, I've been strongly agitating for chocolate.

In other news, not totally unrelated, I recently tried Zumba. I liked it! I thought the learning curve was a little steep until I realized I was starting out with an intermediate Zumba tape, and that the weights made it even more complicated than normal intermediate Zumba. However, it was really fun!! Definitely something good to mix into my exercise routine. I wouldn't say it was "just like dancing," but I did like that you used lots of sexy, silly movements. It's fun.

I just get such a freaking rush when I find a great deal! Like, the modal/cotton fully-lined Talbots shirt I bought for $4 the other day. Sooo light, warm, and comfortable.

But more exciting is the Brighton handbag, in perfect, brand-new condition, spic-and-span inside and lining fully clean and intact, that I bought at a thrift store this morning. I paid $6.99. Retail price? $230. Used price on eBay? Somewhere between $60 and $85.

I usually hate clothes-shopping, but in the thrift stores, I don't have to get irritated by astronomical prices, plus the clothing is organized by size with clothes from every brand imaginable all together so that I don't have to traipse from store to store to store praying there'll be something in my size. It's just especially important since I am working hard to put together a professional wardrobe after being a student for so long. Can't show up to the office in my Batman t-shirt anymore (as much as this hurts me)!

One thing I did NOT buy, even though I had a love for it, was an electric pink zip-front tailored blazer with big round black buttons on the cuffs. OMG I loved it, it was so garish and ridiculous, but I just couldn't imagine where or in what circumstances I would wear the thing. Yes, I know that this is what con balls are for, but even still. And what was the label, you ask? Stirling Cooper. Oh, it took all my willpower to put that thing back on the rack, but I'm really making an effort right now to just buy things that help meet my immediate need for clothes to wear to the office. Sometimes it really sucks to be a grown-up! lol